LAKEFOREST – Corona del Mar started the season with a loss to JSerra. The Sea Kings look like a different team now. Quarterback Nathaniel Espinosa threw for 358 yards and three touchdowns Friday in Corona del Mar’s 39-15 nonleague win over El Toro at El Toro High.

Espinosa completed passes to six different receivers. Senior Tae Le had six receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore John Humphries had six catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Le, a top recruit who is still uncommitted, said the Sea Kings (2-1) are much better than they were in their season-opening loss to JSerra, 45-24. “Leaps and bounds,” said Le, describing the level of improvement. “We’ve brought in a lot of young guys in and taught them how we do it here at CdM.”

Espinosa, given the task of replacing last year’s All-Orange County quarterback Chase Garbers, had by far his best game of the young season. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior completed 23 of 33 passes and ran for a touchdown.

The Sea Kings had a 16-8 lead at halftime over El Toro (1-2). They scored 20 points in the third quarter – a 10-yard touchdown run by Espinosa, a 38-yard touchdown pass from Espinosa to Spencer Hook, and a 12-yard touchdown run by senior running back JT Murphy that created a lead of 36-8.

Corona del Mar took a 3-0 lead on a 41-yard field goal by Max Casper in the first quarter.

El Toro went ahead, 8-3, later in the quarter on a 27-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Cooper Jones to senior receiver Austin Derrico and the two-point conversion pass from Jones to junior tight end Sam Whipple.

Corona del Mar quickly regained the lead on a 62-yard touchdown pass from Espinosa to Humphries, who already has established himself as one of the top sophomores in Orange County football. Humphries got behind the coverage and hauled in Espinosa’s pass on the run. Casper’s kick for the extra point put the Sea Kings on top, 10-8.

Le is one of the better jump-ball receivers in O.C. He made such a catch for a touchdown in the second quarter. Espinosa, on the run with El Toro tacklers in pursuit, heaved the ball to the end zone where Le and El Toro senior defensive back Wes Henderson jumped for the ball. They came down with it simultaneously in the end zone; simultaneous possession in that situation, by rule, gives the ball to the offensive player so it was a Corona del Mar touchdown. The extra-point kick missed, leaving the Sea Kings with a 16-8 lead that stood until the third quarter.

After that 20-point surge in the third quarter, Corona del Mar added three points on a 42-yard field goal by Casper. El Toro scored in the game’s final minute on a 64-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Derrico.

Blake Murphy, former El Toro wide receiver from the 2011 and 2012 seasons, has earned a full football scholarship to Baylor University this year. Murphy was an integral part of the Charger’s high octane offense that overwhelmed opponents with a fast tempo and laser sharp passing attack. Connor Manning, who is now at Georgia St, was the QB who delivered the football to Murphy, and in the two years they worked together Murphy amassed over 1700 yards receiving and scored 17 touchdowns. For those who saw him play for the Blue and Gold they will remember a fearless 5 foot 9 inch, 150 pound frame (at that time) inside of his #18 jersey, with hands so talented the football only had to be in range of his touch. Blake was a courageous route runner, who would take himself into traffic in the middle of the field to make catches while knowingly sacrificing himself. For Murphy it was team before self. Blake was part of a magnificent receiver corps that included, Alec Schoffeitt, DC Collins, Cody White and himself.

Murphy has always been a team first player. His enthusiasm and dedication to the game carried over to his current collegiate career at Baylor University. As a Bear, Murphy won over his coaches with his attitude and commitment and this year had the honor to gain a full scholarship. The El Toro family couldn’t be more proud!

Blake Murphy has carried the Charger tradition forward in football, but far more importantly in life as he lives with a depth of character, faith and conviction that are the true mark of a man. El Toro Nation is proud of our #18. We wish him the best in his senior season!!

The Chargers burst forth from the tunnel at EL Toro Stadium Friday night, totally unaffected and unfazed by the heat and humidity. From the opening kick-off they took the fight to the El Dorado Hawks and controlled them in all 3 phases of the game. When the final gun sounded El Toro had put together a resounding 66-21 win.

The ET defense set the tone of the game early by forcing a quick 3 and out on the Hawks first possession. They shut down the Hawks running game and had El Dorado QB Jack Strouse on the run for most of night intercepting him twice: one by Jake Landry, and the other a pick 6 by Alex Baha who had a nice run up the visitors sideline ticks for the touchdown. Sam Whipple and Charles Poderoso, who started as sophomores last year, and Noah Aguilar, Austin Derrico, Baha and Landry anchor a new group of Chargers starters who have stepped in and played outstanding football. Two games into the season the character of this defense is showing, and they are executing Coach Mayoral’s system well.

The Chargers didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard when the defense got them the football. After a long punt return by Noah Aguilar put the football deep into El Dorado territory, Cooper Jones connected with him for a 12 yard touchdown. Matt Freem converted the PAT for a 7-0 lead. Jones finished 20-29 for 302 yards and 5 TD’s, and Aguilar finished with 3 TD catches. Shane McLaughlin had 2 touchdown catches: one was a front pylon shot, and the other a leaping grab in the end zone. Running the football and scoring on rushing TD’s were Running Backs Steven Castaneda, Julian Bruce, and Jake Landry. Castaneda and Bruce carried the rushing load behind the Front 5 of Kyle Whitesides, Dominick Vasquez, August Clark, Troy Teofilo, and Patrick Davis. Matt Freem was perfect on 9 PAT’s, drilled a 25 yard field goal, and stuck a couple of kickoff’s into the endzone just for good measure.

Attention El Toro Football Families: Photographs of our last game are posted and ready to view. Future games will continue to post as the season progresses. For those who don’t know, Debbie Braasch has been doing her stunning photography at El Toro football games for a number of years. She is an integral part of our El Toro family and a phenomenal artist with the camera.

You can visit her website at the link below to view last Friday nights pictures :